Relationship between hepatocyte apoptosis and the expression of Fas and Caspase-3 in fulminant hepatic failure

[Objective] To study the relationship among the expression of Fas and Caspase-3 and hepatocyte apoptosis in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). [Methods] Mouse experimental model of FHF was established by LPS and D-GalN. The expression of Fas in liver tissue was tested by immunohistochemistry method. The expression of Caspase-3 in liver tissue was tested by in situ hybridization method. Hepatocyte apoptosis was examined by TUNEL method. The expression of Fas and Caspase-3 and hepatocyte apoptosis were observed in the different stage after drug administration. [Results] There was typical manifestation of hepatocyte apoptosis at 8 h after drug administration and hepatocyte apoptosis remain exist at 12 h after drug administration in model of fulminant hepatic failure. There was a little expression of Fas at 2 h after drug administration. The expression of Fas increased distinctly at 8 h and 12 h and there was no statistical difference between them. The expression of Fas at 8 h and 12 h was higher than that at 2 h and 4 h respectively and there was statistical difference between them (P 0.01 and P 0.05, respectively). There was a little expression of Caspase-3 at 2 h after drug administration. The expression of Caspase-3 reached the peak in 8 h and decreased somewhat at 12 h after drug administration. The expression of Caspase-3 at 8 h was higher than that at 2 h and there was statistical difference between them, (P 0.01). When compared with that at 8 h and 12 h, the expression of Caspase-3 at 8 h was also higher and there was statistical difference between them, (P 0.05). The expression of Fas was correlated with that of Caspase-3. [Conclusion] Hepatocyte apoptosis was related to the increased expression of Fas and Caspase-3 in fulminant hepatic failure. The hepatocyte apoptosis induced by Fas was correlated with the activation of Caspase-3.